National Apprenticeship Service seeks aid

In the latest of several tenders, the National Apprenticeship Service, which was launched by the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills, is on the hunt for PR help until next spring.

The appointed agency will be called on to promote the service's awards night and Apprenticeship Week 2013. Social media have been highlighted as a key area of work.

It is understood that Skills Show Limited, a portfolio of skills-related events part-funded by the NAS, is also seeking agency support. This follows on from a £100,000 brief issued by the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills to provide support to the Skills Funding Agency (PRWeek, 3 August).

An agency source with close public sector links said skills and apprenticeships were high on the Government's agenda.

'Everybody is looking for growth and wanting to make sure the country gets back to growth, and the skills sector has a vital role to play in that, meaning there has been a lot of work for PR in the sector,' he said.

The drive comes as 48 companies have now signed up to the PRCA and Pearson-backed PR apprenticeships scheme.